CAIRO (Reuters) - Fighters from Hamas and other Gaza factions have formed an armed force to prevent gangs pillaging aid convoys in the embattled territory, residents and sources close to the group said, after a big increase in the looting of scarce supplies.

The looting of humanitarian aid trucks in Gaza underscores Hamas' declining ability to maintain control in the region. Armed groups seized 98 out of 109 aid trucks entering southern Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing on November 16.

Hamas negotiators are not in Doha but the Palestinian militant group's office there has not been permanently closed, Qatar has said

The U.S. has warned Turkey against harbouring terrorists amid reports that Hamas leaders landed in the NATO Nation last week after Qatar pulled out as mediator in the Gaza ceasefire talks. The U.S. State Department said that Washington will convey to Ankara that there can't be business as usual with Hamas leaders.